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From: [email protected] (Cecelia Doyle) Date: Fri, May 31, 2002, 11:32pm (EDT-1) To: [email protected] Subject: Resisting part 5
Seriously asking for feedback on this part.
CeCe
Title: Resisting 5/?
Author: Lady Wayne
Rating: PG-13, maybe R; eventually NC-17
Pairing: Terry/Bruce
Fandom: Batman Beyond
Feedback: Yes, please. The more you like, the more you get.
Archive: Yes to Prodigette; others ask first, I'll probably say yes.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, probably never will.
Summary: Terry tries to block out his true feelings for the old man, while
Bruce struggles to rein in Terry's recent spate of wild behavior. Notes: Thoughts in <>. **** for flashbacks.
From part 4
"Bruce, what the hell is going on?" Commissioner Gordon implored.
"Barbara? What are you talking about?" Bruce questioned in return while trying to suppress his own anxiety over the fear and anger in his old friend's voice.
Resisting 5/?
"I just received a call from the harbor patrol. They tell me the Bat craft, or at least they think that is what it is, is out of control in the harbor. I repeat, what the hell is going on?' Barbara Gordon explained as patiently as she could.
"Barbara, I have no idea; but I will find out. Thanks for the tip." Bruce replied as he quickly disconnected the call. He immediately switched gears to contact Terry.
"McGinnis! Are you all right? What's happening?" Bruce inquired with all the control his considerably disciplined mind could muster.
"A bit busy here, right now." Terry replied as he came within a meter of a slow moving freighter, having just narrowly avoided crashing into a pleasure boat.
Deftly switching to methodical investigator, Wayne responded, "What's the problem? The system isn't indicating a malfunction." < He sounds confident; can he regain control or is that youthful bravado? >
"I'm not sure." Terry bluffed, cringing as he did so. Knowing his lack of concentration was the only 'problem,' he searched for a truth to placate his mentor. "Everything was fine. The next thing I knew, it was out of control. Response is starting to come back."
"Okay. Head back. And if you have any more problems, I want to hear it from you first!" Wayne commanded.
Waiting for Terry
< Ultimately, I'm responsible. I can't hover over his shoulder at all times. If he, or anyone else, had been hurt due to an equipment malfunction, I'd never forgive myself. Maybe I'm getting too old to take care of all the equipment. Is he ready for the technical stuff? The more I give over to him, the less involved I'll be in Batman's existence and Terry's. Is it that I can't handle all the responsibilities or that I can't handle the responsibilities with the constant distraction of his piercing blue eyes and magnificent body? I need to stay focused or someone will be hurt. >
The journey home
< Man, that was close. How'd I drift so far? I can't believe the time; I must have been zoned for nearly half an hour. He's pissed, and he has a right to be. So much for trying to earn his respect. If he finds out I endangered innocent lives trying to impress someone, I'll never wear this suit again. I hate to lie to him, but I have to cover my tracks. Losing the suit would be bad enough, but I can't lose him. An equipment problem is only a little lie. Who could it hurt? >
Back in the Bat Cave
"McGinnis, I need to talk to you." Wayne stated brusquely as Terry pulled off his cowl. He spoke without looking at Terry. What he had to say would be difficult enough without seeing the cocky pride in the younger man's eyes.
"Sure." Terry answered, thinking < I'm dead. >
"Sit down. This isn't easy for me. I think you should cut back on patrolling for awhile." Wayne hesitantly started.
"What? Look, I didn't mean to screw up." Terry protested jumping up from his chair and balling his hands into fists at his side.
< God, he thinks I'm blaming him. > Rising to his full height, Bruce practically shouted, "Sit down, McGinnis, and let me speak."
Giving in to the lecture he was sure would start Terry silently reseated himself. < He's right. Just this one time shut up and take it like a man.
"If you had listened, you would know I'm not blaming you. I'm responsible for the technical element. I checked everything just a few days ago. I don't know what I could have missed. Obviously, I'm not as good at this as I used to be. I haven't been able to manage the physicality required for some time. Now it looks as though I don't have the mental acuity either. Terry, I want you to cut back on patrolling so you can concentrate on learning the technical end, the mechanics and electronics." Bruce continued still unable to look Terry in the eyes but doing his best to focus in the general vicinity of his face.
"Huh?" Terry mumbled. < Jeez. Bruce is blaming himself. He thinks he
failed. >
"I also want to talk with you about your coursework in school. Maybe you can pick up some classes or work out an internship with a branch of Wayne Industries." Bruce started to elaborate.
"No."
"What do you mean, 'no'? One day you will need to know all of this yourself." Bruce protested.
"I didn't mean no I wouldn't learn. I meant it wasn't your fault. You didn't miss anything." Terry declared while intensely scrutinizing the floor between the two men.
Bruce was suddenly alert. Looking directly into Terry's eyes, he asked, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying it was my fault. There wasn't an equipment failure. I wasn't concentrating as much as I should have been. Your inspection was through and accurate. My mind was simply elsewhere." Terry responded, cringing away from the onslaught that was sure to come.
"Elsewhere!" roared Wayne. "ELSEWHERE! This isn't a game, McGinnis. All this equipment is not for the personal thrill seeking of a teenager with overactive hormones. We do what we do for a purpose. This city depends on us. Do you realize the crime statistics here? Do you know how many innocents were beaten, raped, robbed or killed during your joyride?" During his tirade, he had risen from his chair and was now shaking with rage and circling Terry.
Each statement hit Terry like a physical blow. Six months ago, he would have defended himself, physically as well as verbally. But not now, not against the old man, not when every word was true.
Coming in for the final attack, he added, "ELSEWHERE! Just where was it? Thinking up ways to get Claire into your bed?" he continued.
This time, Terry sprung from his chair. "What? You don't have a clue, do you old man?" Terry shouted as he grabbed Wayne by his upper arms.
TBC
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